Child's Pose

Balasana

A restorative shape that decompresses the spine and opens the lats — useful between heavy sets, not just at the end of class.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Mat · Bodyweight
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Lats · Lower back
ALSO WORKS
Quads · Deltoids
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Kneel with the big toes together and the knees as wide as comfortable.
  2. 02Sit the hips back towards the heels and walk the hands forward.
  3. 03Let the forehead rest down and the ribs soften towards the thighs.
  4. 04Breathe into the back of the ribcage for 60–90 seconds.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Widen the knees if the hips won't reach the heels.
  2. 02Breathe into the back ribs — that's the point.
  3. 03Walk the hands to one side to bias one lat.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Forcing the hips down and straining the knees.
  2. 02Shallow chest breathing instead of back-rib breathing.
  3. 03Treating it as filler rather than active recovery.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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